By Enock Akonnor (Managing Editor) enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
MTN Ghana is taking the lead in driving national dialogue on cybersecurity, emphasizing the shared responsibility of individuals, businesses, and government agencies in building a safer digital future.
As part of its Bright Conversations series, the telecommunications giant hosted a high-level discussion that brought together key stakeholders from cybersecurity experts and policymakers to industry leaders to examine the evolving nature of digital threats and explore strategies to strengthen Ghana’s cyber resilience.
Moderated by Jacqueline Hanson-Kotei, Senior Manager for Enterprise Information Security and Governance at MTN Ghana, the panel featured Isaac Socrates Mensah, Senior Manager at the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), and Seth Gyapong-Oware, Senior Manager for Legal and Compliance at the CSA.
Human Factor at the Center of Cyber Threats
Mr. Mensah highlighted a significant shift in the cybersecurity landscape, noting that most recent incidents in Ghana are rooted in social manipulation rather than purely technical breaches.
“Cybercriminals now exploit human behavior more than system flaws,” he explained. “People are tricked into sharing personal details or clicking malicious links and that’s where the damage begins.”
The CSA, he said, is working closely with mobile network operators to enhance data verification systems and combat SIM-related fraud. Plans are underway for a new SIM re-registration initiative that aligns user data with the national digital ID system.
One key reform under development is a device-SIM linking framework that would render devices used in cybercrime useless across all networks once blacklisted. “We want to make cyber fraud expensive and unattractive,” he asserted.
Cybersecurity by Design: A Call to Startups
Addressing entrepreneurs and innovators, Mr. Mensah urged startups to embed cybersecurity into product design from the outset.
“Security shouldn’t be an afterthought,” he said. “In today’s world, technology drives every business and protecting your systems and customers from day one is essential for survival.”
He encouraged SMEs to build a security-first culture through regular training, risk assessments, and awareness campaigns.
Protecting the Next Generation Online
Panelists also raised alarms about the increasing exposure of children to online dangers. Mr. Mensah called for active digital parenting, urging parents to create appropriate child accounts on devices and monitor their children’s digital interactions.
He cited chilling real-world examples of AI-driven manipulation targeting young users, emphasizing the importance of digital literacy and family-level cybersecurity awareness.
A Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Cyber Resilience
Mr. Seth Gyapong-Oware stressed the need for deeper cooperation across sectors and borders, pointing out that cyber threats are global in scope.
“Cybersecurity is not just about enforcement,” he said. “It’s about partnership between regulators, service providers, educators, and users. Everyone has a role to play.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing Ghana’s national cybersecurity agenda, which focuses on policy reform, capacity building, and international collaboration.
MTN’s Continued Commitment to Digital Safety
MTN Ghana reaffirmed its dedication to cybersecurity education through ongoing initiatives like Bright Conversations, which aim to promote awareness and empower citizens to navigate the digital world safely.
“At MTN, digital safety is a shared responsibility,” the company stated. “We remain committed to collaborating with the Cyber Security Authority and other stakeholders to protect customers and strengthen Ghana’s digital ecosystem.”
A Shared Digital Future
By convening thought leaders and experts under the Bright Conversations platform, MTN Ghana continues to position itself not only as a telecommunications provider but also as a national partner in advancing responsible technology use, digital trust, and cybersecurity resilience.
Source; www.leakyGhana.com
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
Contact:
📞 +233 541 921 562
✉️ enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
